[mythtv-users] Several General Questions

[Brian Pilnick]

I've been researching HTPC's for a while and I think I'm ready to build 
a dedicated box for my parents.  (It's this or buying a tivo.)  I have a 
few questions first though, just to make sure I'm not overlooking anything.

First off, I was thinking of using this barebones system to build off of 
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=56-110-024&depa=0
All of the on-board hardware looks to be supported, but does the fact 
that the video card and sound card are built on matter?

Video quality is of course very important so will the on-board s-video 
out be good enough quality?  I've seen some reports of video card's 
s-video output being sub-par but nothing definite.  If this isn't good 
enough, I'd step up one of the two planned PVR250's to a PVR350 to use 
the output on that card if thats possible.

This may be a stupid question, but how stable and 'transparent' is 
mythTV?  Stability is big issue as I won't be around to fix it if 
something breaks.  What I mean by transparent is how intuitive it is I 
guess.  My mom (not a techie) will be the primary user and it needs to 
be usable for her.

Just for estimation purposes, about how big are the compressed files 
myth makes?  I'd like to be using 720x480 in DVD format (mpeg-2 correct?).

I can't remember what its called at the moment, but I've seen a DVD 
burning module for myth.  Has anyone used this?  How well does it work?  
How easy is it to use?

One thing I haven't really been able to find is how leaving it on 
works.  I'd assume the machine has to be on 24/7 in order to record 
shows and have the MythWeb client available etc, is this correct?

I think thats all my questions for now.  Thanks in advance for any answers.

-Brian